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Brunei travel guide

Regions & Cities

Despite its modest size the sultanate of Brunei Darussalam has a
huge wealth of both natural resources and worthwhile tourist
attractions. Few people consider this tiny nation at the top of
Borneo to be a destination in its own right but those that do are
rewarded by one of the safest, most environmentally pristine
countries in Asia. The majority of visitors, however, experience
Brunei either as a passenger en route elsewhere or a business
traveller taking advantage of its burgeoning role as a regional
economic hub.

Brunei's culture is shaped by its Malay majority and deeply
entrenched Islamic traditions, bound together by the sultanate's
uninterrupted 600-year royal heritage. Citizens enjoy one of the
world's highest standards of living with free healthcare,
education,and housing thanks to the largesse of the Sultan, who is
the sole beneficiary of the country's oil reserves.

Located on the north tip of the island of Borneo, the country is
divided into two unconnected halves: 97 percent of the population
live in the larger western half where the modern capital Bandar
Seri Begawan (BSB) is located, while an estimated 15,000 people
live in the predominantly rural and mountainous eastern half.
Adventurous travellers are drawn to the natural splendour and
adrenalin charged sporting activities of this region, most of which
is virgin rainforest.

Visitors to BSB can enjoy architectural treasures such as the
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the fascinating traditional
water villages, and the Sultan's palace, Istana Nurul Iman, which
is the world's largest palace still in use. BSB also has some
worthwhile beaches, most notably Jerudon which has gorgeous white
sands and a child-friendly amusement park to one side of it.

The official currency is the Brunei Dollar (BND), divided into
100 cents. The Brunei Dollar is pegged to the Singaporean Dollar
which is accepted as legal tender throughout Brunei.

All major credit cards are accepted in larger hotels,
restaurants and shops. Cash is best advised for smaller
establishments and when transacting in remote areas. ATMs are
widespread especially at major banks which are concentrated along
Jalan Sultan in the capital. Money can also be converted at the
informal moneychangers that operate from booths at most transport
hubs. If you choose to use this channel ensure you shop around for
the best rate.

Language : The official language of the Sultanate is Malay although
English is spoken widely and is the medium of instruction in
secondary and tertiary education.

Electricity : Electrical current is 220 - 240 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are
of the three-pin, rectangular blade type, commonly referred to as
the British three-pin plug.

Entry Requirements :

US passport holders require a passport valid for at least six
months after arrival, but a visa is not necessary for stays of up
to 90 days.

UK passport holders require a passport valid for at least six
months after arrival, but a visa is not necessary for stays of up
to 90 days.

Canadian passport holders require a passport valid for at least
six months after arrival, but a visa is not necessary for stays of
up to 14 days.

Australian passport holders require a passport valid at least
six months after arrival, and a visa. Visas can be obtained on
arrival for a stay of up to 30 days.

South African passport holders require a passport valid for at
least six months after arrival. A visa is required.

Irish nationals require a passport valid for at least six months
after arrival, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to 90
days.

New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for at least six
months after arrival, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to
30 days.

Passport/Visa Note :

Travellers must have all documents necessary for their next
destination and return air tickets as well as sufficient funds for
stay. Passports must be valid at least six months beyond arrival
date. Visa requirements vary from country to country.

Travel Health :

Travellers arriving from infected areas are required to produce
proof of a yellow fever vaccination, and vaccinations may be
recommended for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, though these are not
required. Health concerns will depend on whether or not you are
traveling to the remote areas of the Sultanate. In Bandar Seri
Begawan and the large towns the tap water is safe to drink and
world-class medical facilities are available. However, if you are
exploring the remote wilderness you should drink bottled water only
and consider additional vaccinations for typhoid, tetanus, rabies
and Japanese encephalitis, depending on duration of visit and
planned activities. Dengue fever outbreaks and other mosquito-borne
diseases are common. Take precautions against mosquito bites
including using insect repellent at all times. Frequently there is
a smoke haze across some parts of Brunei, typically from July to
October, which may cause respiratory problems. You are strongly
advised to take out comprehensive medical insurance that includes
the option of emergency repatriation.

Tipping :

A 10 percent service charge is normally included in all hotel,
taxi, bar and restaurant bills, and further tipping is not
necessary.

Safety Information :

Brunei ranks as one of the safest countries in the world.
Violent crime against people or property is virtually unheard of
and penalties for such offences are severe; however, there are
occasional incidents of petty crime against travellers, and
tourists should take care of their belongings. Protests and street
demonstrations should be avoided. Although the risk of
indiscriminate terrorist attacks exists globally, Brunei is
considered to have a low terrorism risk.

Local Customs :

It is considered rude to show the soles of your feet when seated
opposite a person, so avoid crossing your legs. When pointing or
passing something use your right hand. If you need to gesticulate,
use the thumb of your right hand with the other fingers remaining
closed. Greet business associates with a handshake, although not if
they are members of the opposite sex. When making small talk, be
cautious about making comments regarding local issues, especially
those pertaining to the royal family.

Business :

Dress smartly for business meetings; a suit and tie is expected.
Office hours are typically Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm, and
Saturdays 8am to 12pm. Shortened office hours operate during the
fasting month of Ramadan. Greet business associates with a
handshake, although not members of the opposite sex.

Communications :

The international country dialling code for Brunei is +673. The
outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use e.g. 2 for
Bandar Seri Begawan. Mobile phone GSM 900 and 3G 2100 networks
operate throughout the country. High speed internet access is
widely available in the main towns and large hotels.

Duty Free :

Travellers over the age of 17 may import the following into
Brunei without having to pay customs duty: 2 bottles of alcoholic
spirit (maximum total of 2 litres) and 12 cans of beer/lager (by
non-Muslims and for personal consumption only); 60ml of perfume and
250ml eau de toilette. Duty is charged on all tobacco products. It
is strictly prohibited to import firearms, drugs and pornography.
The penalty for trafficking drugs is death while possession of any
quantity of drugs carries a mandatory 20-year jail sentence. All
medication must be declared and relevant prescriptions presented.
Curiously there is also a strict ban on entering the country in
possession of amulets or lucky charms made from bullets.

Location: The airport is situated 2 miles (4km) north-west of the
city centre.Time: GMT +8Contacts: Tel: +673 233 0142Transfer between terminals: There is only one terminal at the airport.Getting to the city: The journey to the city should take 15 to 25 minutes. Hail one
of the taxis outside of the arrivals hall or book ahead by calling
PPP on 222-214 or 226-853 from inside the terminal. Insist on
paying the officially posted rate otherwise you may be charged up
to 30% more by the compulsively avaricious drivers. Another option
is to travel into Bandar Seri Begawan by bus. Purple buses #23, 24,
36, 38 and 57 run between the bus station and the airport for the
city centre every 30 minutes. Note that although cheaper, this is a
less frequent and convenient service than that of the more reliable
taxis.Car rental: There are no car rental offices at the airport so you will need
to pre-arrange a pickup by calling your preferred provider: Avis:
238-238; Budget: 229-388; Elsie: 227-237; and Roseraya:
241-442.

Facilities: Luggage lockers can be found on the arrivals level. Other
amenities include banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, bars and
restaurants, tourist information, and shops, including
duty-free. Parking: Long and short-term parking is available.

Brunei has a distinctly tropical climate with year-round hot
weather and high humidity. Uniquely for the region, Brunei has two
monsoon seasons with heavy rainfall from October to February and
from May to June. Rain showers tend to be heavy but short-lived.
Over March and April rainfall drops to nearly nothing, and drought
conditions characterise the coastal areas; temperatures have been
known to rise extremely high, making this an uncomfortable time to
visit. From September to January, conditions can also be
uncomfortably hot and humid. The best time to visit is June to
September, but travellers should avoid visiting Brunei during
Ramadan, as many businesses are closed.